Change You Choose

Natural disasters cause PTSD easily and quickly. Suddenly, everything you own, everything you’ve worked for is gone – washed away by torrential rains and hurricane winds. How would this impact you? For some, up from the rubble of what they identified as their life crawls the powerful, consuming, emotional illness we know as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Surviving any life-threatening event can give rise to PTSD, including natural disasters: the statistics of which are alarming. On today’s episode of Changing Direction, I chatted with Joseph A. Boscarino, PhD, MPH, a Senior Investigator at the Geisinger Center for Health Research. Dr. Boscarino shared his most recent studies surrounding the victims of Hurricane Sandy and 9/11 in terms of: the #1 recovery tip for all trauma survivors how to form an emotional and physical response to trauma how to facilitate memory extinction immediately following trauma About my guest:  Joseph A. Boscarino, PhD, MPH is a Senior Investigator at the Geisinger Center for Health Research, Geisinger Health System in Danville, PA. An epidemiologist, health services researcher and behavioral scientist, Dr. Boscarino focuses on behavioral health, chronic disease epidemiology, and neuropsychiatric research. Over the past 35 years, he has directed hundreds of studies related to behavioral health, post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), addiction, chronic hepatitis, cardiovascular diseases, and other clinical areas. While the thought is more counseling is better, Dr. Boscarino’s findings have shown that those who receive brief counseling, may recover better than those who received no counseling or long-term conventional therapy. His current research at Geisinger includes assessing the health impact of PTSD among patients and disaster victims, studying the health economic impact of rheumatoid arthritis, and evaluating risk factors for PTSD, opioid addiction, and other mental health disorders. In addition, he is investigating PTSD’s role in the onset and course of inflammatory diseases, including ischemic heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. With National Institutes of Health funding, he is also developing the next generation of PTSD risk assessment tools using the World Trade Center Disaster Study and other trauma data. Dr. Boscarino earned his PhD in Social Psychology at New York University and a MPH in Epidemiology at the University of California, Berkeley. He completed Post-Doctoral Fellowships in Psychiatric Epidemiology and Health Services Research at Yale University-West Haven VA Medical Center, and in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco. He is a member of the American College of Epidemiology, American Psychosomatic Society, and the Society of Biological Psychiatry. A Vietnam War veteran, he was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies for his World Trade Center disaster and warzone research.

We’ve heard the reports; we’ve seen the rising statistics. Mental Health issues in the military are on the rise. The lack of access to a full spectrum of treatment options isn't the real issue holding back out veterans' healing. The mental health stigma in the military causes thousands of veterans not to seek out. What's wrong with the system and how does it need to change? On today’s episode of Changing Direction,  Kim Dennis, MD, CEDS, Medical Director and CEO, of Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center joined me to discuss: illustrations of how the mental health stigma holds back veterans' recovery what's wrong with the military perspective on mental health how the system needs to be changed to better support our veterans how veterans can circumvent the stigma and heal About my guest:    Dr. Kim Dennis is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorder treatment, addictions recovery, trauma / PTSD and co-occurring disorders. As CEO & Medical Director at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, she supervises the medical staff and sets the overall vision and direction for the treatment program. Dr. Dennis maintains a holistic perspective in the practice of psychiatry. She incorporates biological, psycho-social and spiritual approaches into the individually tailored treatment plan for each resident. Dr. Dennis is published in the areas of gender differences in the development of psychopathology, co-occurring eating disorders and self-injury, and the use of medication with family-based therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. She is also on the editorial board of Eating Disorders: the Journal of Treatment and Prevention. Dr. Dennis contributes regularly to news networks, such as ABC News and CNN, other national press such as the Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe and WebMD, and professional magazines such as Addiction Professional and Behavioral Healthcare. She contributes a monthly column to Daily Strength. She has been featured on TLC Discovery Channel’s “My Strange Addiction” and ABC’s “20/20.” In 2011, she was featured in NORMAL in Schools’ DVD ”ED 101″ and in the documentary “America the Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments.” Dr. Dennis received her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago. She obtained her medical degree from the University Of Chicago Pritzker School Of Medicine and completed her psychiatry residency training at the University of Chicago Hospitals, where she served as chief resident. During her training, she was part of the multi-disciplinary eating disorders team specializing in treating adolescents with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and their families. She also conducted research with Daniel Le Grange who ran the unit. Dr. Dennis was awarded “Outstanding Clinician” by Addiction Professional magazine in 2013. She is a member of the American Medical Association, Academy for Eating Disorders, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, American Society for Addiction Medicine, and International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. She is the Medical Liaison Chair for the iaedp Heartland Chapter and serves on the medical advisory board for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.

Rick Hanson's new book, Hardwiring Happiness, was released this month and I know it can help change your life! All of us possess within us an ancient survival technique: a negativity bias.  This bias directs our thoughts in our daily activities and behaviors. But, we can change it. We can train our brains and change our thinking so that even the smallest of pleasures give us lasting happiness and contentment. On today’s episode of Changing Direction, I welcomed Rick Hanson to talk about his book. Grounded in neuroscience, Hardwiring Happiness is super practical, full of easy-to-use methods and guided practices to grow a steady well-being, self-worth, and inner peace. And it has special sections on children, motivation, relationships, trauma, and spiritual practice. Together, Hanson and I covered: Rick's personal story of learning about painful experiences The importance of changing the brain in order to promote growth and healing The two-stage process of building inner strengths The role of your negativity bias, and also: your happiness set point  One of the big problems with trauma therapy MEET MY GUEST: Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a neuropsychologist and New York Times best-selling author. His books include Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence (in 4 languages), Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom (in 25 languages), Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time (in 12 languages), and Mother Nurture: A Mother’s Guide to Health in Body, Mind, and Intimate Relationships. Founder of theWellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom and on the Advisory Board of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, he’s been an invited speaker at Oxford, Stanford, and Harvard, and taught in meditation centers worldwide. An authority on self-directed neuroplasticity, Dr. Hanson’s work has been featured on the BBC, NPR, FoxBusiness, Consumer Reports Health, U.S. News and World Report, and O Magazine, and he has several audio programs with Sounds True. He edits theWise Brain Bulletin, and his weekly e-newsletter – Just One Thing – has over 96,000 subscribers, and also appears on Huffington Post, Psychology Today, and other major websites. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA, Dr. Hanson has been a trustee of Saybrook University and served on the board of Spirit Rock Meditation Center for nine years. He enjoys rock-climbing and taking a break from emails. He and his wife have two adult children. For more information, please see his full profile at www.RickHanson.net.

A Marine + his guitar+ music = battle zone therapy anywhere in the world! Imagine this: A day’s work is completed, but you still feel all the stresses of life. Regardless of where the stresses are coming from or what they may be, you have options to relieve all those pesky things that are bothering you. You can go out for dinner instead of cooking. You can go for a walk in the woods or by the beach. You can take a roadtrip and create an overnight, spontaneous adventure. You have choices. As a Marine in the middle of a combat zone, choices are limited when it comes to stress relief. Surrounded by sand, pummeled with intense heat, and on constant alert as to the threat of oncoming battle, stress is 24 hours a day for the entire deployment. So, what would you do in these circumstances? On today’s episode of Changing Direction, I chatted with Marcus Fox, a Marine who used his guitar to help himself and fellow Marines combat one of our military’s most terrifying and ongoing wars: PTSD. Marcus shared the story of how his music and his guitar provided battlefield therapy for him and those around him -- and how he now uses his guitar to raise awareness for veteran suicides and recovery back here at home. About my guests:  Markus Fox is from the state of Alabama, and proudly calls I-65 his hometown. He grew up living on the gulf coast in Mobile, Alabama and in the pines of Elmore County, Alabama. When Markus was 8 years old, he asked for a guitar for Christmas. His father told him that he wouldn’t play it for more than a month, but Markus got his guitar that year. This is the one time his dad was happy to be wrong. Markus continued to play that guitar, and has always had the desire to make people happy through the playing and singing of his music. When Markus graduated from Theodore High School outside of Mobile, Alabama, he left to attend Troy University. It was there Markus realized it was time to do something different and meaningful with his life. Having seen three generations of United States Marine Corp ahead of him, he walked into a recruiter’s office and decided to dedicate the next four years of his life to serving his country as a United States Marine. Markus saw his first tour of duty in Iraq when he was 19 years old, followed by a second tour of duty in Afghanistan when he was 21 years old. While serving his country, he continued to play and write his music, finding and providing a safe place within its chords. Seeing brothers make the ultimate sacrifice is what led Markus to write one of his most well-known songs, “Sacrifices.” It is enjoyed by many as a great tribute to those that didn’t come home. Markus now dedicates his voice to not just music, but to the causes of Veterans. “If you see a Veteran out, it doesn’t matter where, take a second to thank them. You’ll never know what it means to them,” Markus explains in a recent interview with ABC 33/40. He goes on to say, “Hire a veteran. They have more experience than anyone you will interview.” Markus finished his time in service as a U.S. Marine in November of 2011, and in turn moved back to his home in Elmore County, Alabama. It is within those pine trees that he finds happiness in bonfires, muddy boots and a few beers with good friends. He is currently seeking to fulfill that life-long dream of sharing his music with as many people as possible. Markus has played throughout Nashville and the South. He continues to write great songs and play dynamic shows and looks forward to meeting you soon!  To learn more about Marcus and his music, you can visit his web site: MarkusFox.com.

Nutrition after trauma may not be something you think about, but in healing your brain after trauma, it's enormously important! Almost two years ago I interviewed Dr. Terry Wahls about how nutrition cures depression, brain fog and lack of concentration. During our chat she revealed how she found a cure for Multiple Sclerosis in her own overcoming the disease through her use of nutrition, specifically by making green shakes. Like Dr. Wahls' condition, nutrition also can play a hugely supportive role in healing trauma. When our bodies experience trauma, it takes everything we have to fight off what could be terrible, long-term health issues. Many times, the trauma takes away our desire to care for ourselves and in doing so, we cause even greater harm to our health. In the end, we wind up with not only mental health struggles but physical ailments as well. Nutrition after trauma is a topic that every trauma survivor should take the time to learn and integrate into their healing path. On today’s episode of Changing Direction, I chatted with the USA Director of Compassion in World Farming, Leah Garces. Leah joined the show to discuss not only the importance of what you’re eating, but how and where your food comes from. She shareed what her organization is doing to promote healthier food for your table and focus on the increased nutritional benefits that come with eating meat that is properly raised and prepared, giving you the highest possible nutritional value. Plus, Leah talked about how you can shop (even on a limited budget) to choose foods with higher nutritional value (including your protein staples of beef and chicken) and increase the impact your food has on your health. About my guest:   Leah Garcés is the USA Director for Compassion in World Farming, an organization based in the UK with offices around the world, dedicated to ending factory farming globally. She is a Global Animal PartnershipBoard of Directors member .  She has worked to advance higher welfare for farm animals for well over a decade and has authored and edited several reports and books on animals in agriculture. A strong proponent of collaboration, she launched the multi-stakeholder Georgians for Pastured Poultry. The USA stream of work for Compassion focuses primarily on collaboration with US food businesses and making real and practical improvements for farm animals, in particular poultry. Along with building Compassion’s USA presence, she provides strategic and technical advice to food business to advance policies and practices that result in measureable improvements for farm animals.  She currently lives in Decatur, GA with her husband and two young sons.

Military suicides are on the rise and more and more of our veterans are finding themselves feeling alone and confused. Families may not understand what's happening to their loved one when they return home and many times are left to feel as if there is no hope for their soldier. But - there IS hope! As we become more and more educated as a country on the psychological and emotional effects of war, more and more opportunities for treatment and healing are becoming available. Dr. Tania Glenn joined me to discuss combat and battlefield symptoms and treatment. Dr. Glenn specializes in the treatment of emergency responders and combat veterans by providing briefs on pre and post-deployment, combat stress, and family readiness. She has extensive experience recognizing symptoms of PTSD and battlefield stress and providing intensive therapy to combat their PTSD, moving them forward after trauma and creating the very future that has eluded them for so long. We covered: myths about the effects of trauma and PTSD can PTSD be averted/stopped? how to have a safety net after trauma the signs of trauma/PTSD after deployment treatment approaches support tips for families About my guest: Dr. Tania Glenn is the president of Tania Glenn and Associates (TGA), PA a clinical practice with two offices in Austin, TX and the TGA Readiness Action Division (RAD) a sub-component focused on promoting critical incident response and peer support teams and providing situational awareness training. She is a leading national clinician in the identification of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The clinical practice of Dr. Tania Glenn and Associates, PA provides several therapeutic specialties including adult, couples, family and children’s play therapy. Dr. Tania Glenn focuses on the public safety, aviation, and military communities as first responders and war fighters have distinct needs requiring specialized client care. The Associates specialize in other areas including domestic violence, child abuse, mood disorders, personality disorders, self-esteem and workplace violence issues; they also provide mental health services on collaborative law cases and facilitate supervised visits and neutral exchanges. As a deployable component, TGA-RAD provides training and preparation for extreme stress and trauma events along with training in situational awareness and first response and life saving. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Trauma Specialist (CTS) with twenty-two years experience treating anxiety and depression, Dr. Glenn deployed to Oklahoma City in 1995, New York City in 2001, and New Orleans in 2005 in support of law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and national guardsman who responded to the Murrah Federal Building and World Trade Center terrorist attacks and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Recognized nationally, Dr. Glenn’s clients include Avenge Inc., Sierra Nevada Corporation, Southwest Airlines, U.S. Airways, PHi Air Medical, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations and Border Patrol Special Operations Group, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S Marshals Service Special Operations Group, Army and Air National Guard, Navy Corpsman, USMC 4th Marine Division and 4th Aircraft Wing. She is the Clinical Director for several critical incident response teams with her unique perspective to special operations competencies. Dr. Glenn’s emergency room experience includes ten years at Brackenridge Hospital, Austin, TX. Having developed several traumatic stress management programs, Dr. Glenn currently serves as the traumatic stress management coordinator for Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services and Round Rock Police Department. She is an active faculty member and trainer for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and an advisory board member for the Brattleboro Hospital Uniformed Services Worker’s Retreat, Brattleboro, VT. Dr.

Trauma, PTSD, & OCD can become closely intertwined as you rebuild your life after a tragic event. Let's say, you went through a traumatic experience and now you have PTSD. Suddenly, you find yourself with behaviors that would seem odd to others but for you, seem to be a natural way of life that makes you feel better and safer. Friends may voice their opinions that you have OCD, and although you may know it’s true, you aren’t sure why or where it came from. Guy Oberwise from Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center joined me to discuss how and why OCD can develop after trauma and along with PTSD. Guy explained: what is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder how it works and what drives it the role of fear why the trauma, OCD and PTSD are linked, plus how they feed between one another (and become obstacles in your healing) options for treatment how long recovery takes About my guest: Guy Oberwise is The Director of Primary Therapy at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. He specializes in mood and anxiety disorders and the treatment of OCD. As a member of the Timberline Knolls Clinical Development Institute, Guy offers presentations across the country on co-occurring disorders. Guy’s 20 plus years of broad-based background includes clinical and organizational psychology, business consultation, behavioral change management, and career development and training. Throughout his career, he has provided counseling and training within numerous schools, treatment centers, human resources departments and employee assistance programs on a variety of topics such as stress management, alcohol and drug addiction, drug free workplace, customer service, leadership development, self-esteem, depression and more. Guy is a licensed clinical social worker, specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, substance abuse recovery, and mood disorders. He graduated from Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Arts in clinical psychology and received his Master’s degree from Loyola University in Chicago in clinical and occupational psychology. He is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, and the International OCD Foundation.

On 9/11 Michael Hingson and his guide dog, Roselle, did something astounding: they survived. At work on the 78th floor in the North Tower of the World Trade Center when terrorists attacked Hingson had a choice: follow his instincts or trust his companion and guide dog, Roselle. The decision he made saved his life. On this episode of the show Michael Hingson and I discussed his inspiring journey out of the North Tower, only to be faced with death a second time as the South Tower crumbled. Michael also shares about his book, Thunder Dog, which illumiates his lifelong determination to achieve parity in a sighted world, and how the rare trust between a man and his guide dog can inspire an unshakable faith in each one of us. Mike and I also covered how to create a mindset of control and how to access your intuition -- and learn to trust it. Interested in learning ideas you can implement today to develop more of your ability to control your mind, behavior and life? Listen to Mike's incredible story and the things he learned because of it. MEET MY GUEST: As was the case with many Americans, Michael Hingson’slife changed dramatically on September 11th. He and his Guide Dog “Roselle” were the lucky ones, however, in that they escaped the World Trade Center attack. As a WTC survivor and as a Guide Dog user, he was thrust into the international limelight. Michael and “Roselle” have since become well-known as representatives of the strength of the human/animal bond, and have been successful in communicating the power of that bond in many media interviews and public presentations. Michael has traveled with a Guide Dog for 40 years and embodies the lifelong partnerships created by Guide Dogs for the Blind and those they serve. Prior to becoming the National Public Affairs Representative for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Michael was district sales manager for Quantum Data Protection Division of Irvine, Calif., overseeing a sales force and field operations. He has a master’s degree in physics from the University of California at Irvine. He is a former member of the California State Guide Dog Board, and is a member of the National Federation of the Blind. Michael lives with his wife, Karen, in Novato, California. You can find out more about Michael Hingson as well as purchase his book on his website, found at www.MichaelHingson.com.

Natalie Ledwell, the co-founder of Mind Movies, knows more than anyone the power of using your mind and imagination to move you forward in life. Buried under $120K of credit card debt, Ledwell used some very simple and very cool tools to free herself from debt and build a multi-million dollar company in 4 short years during the worst world economic crisis we have seen in our lifetime. You can see an example of a mind movie here. Then, listen in as Natalie and I discuss: what, exactly, a mind movie is how it can help you create the life you wish to be living how you can make your own personalized mind movie 5 types of affirmations you could be using to move yourself forward MEET MY GUEST: Natalie Ledwell is a bestselling author, speaker, The Inspiration Show host and co-founder of Mind Movies. Natalie and her team have reached over 1.2 million people around the globe empowering them to use the same success principles she used to crawl out from under $120K of credit card debt to build a multi million dollar company in 4 short years during the worst world economic crisis we have seen in our lifetime. Initially starting to change lives by helping people visualize a bright new future by creating their personal digital vision boards or Mind Movies, she continues to educate many through her incredibly popular online programs like The 7 Secrets to Happiness and The Ultimate Success Masterclass. Natalie also passionately fulfills her mission of making a positive difference around the world through her online TV show The Inspiration Show where she interviews inspiring transformational leaders and amazing people with truly inspiring stories. Her latest project to raise the success and happiness of the planet is her multi-media book ‘Never in Your Wildest Dreams’. Combining hardcover fiction and informative ‘how to’ videos Natalie uses multi sensory teaching techniques to lead the reader first through the journey of her heroine Katherine Murray, then transports them by video to ‘Inside the Chapter’ where she explains what Katherine is thinking, what life lesson she is experiencing, how this applies to Natalie’s personal experience and how to quickly and easily implement these lessons to create your own dream life.

What is trauma? Today's radio episode begins with the answer to that question, and then we tackled depression, which can take on many forms. It can be a simple “down” day or three where you just don’t have the energy to function at a normal level. Or, it can be intense, never ending, and keep you at the lowest of lows. Regardless of the level of depression you or someone you love is feeling, there is no question that it is keeping you from leading a productive, more fulfilling life. Throwing all sorts of prescription medications on top to mask the emotional pain may not be the way to go either.  So…is there a way to heal trauma and overcome depressive feelings  and moods without medications? How can you overcome depression naturally? After suffering 25 years from depression, Craig Meriwether found a way out. Broke and without health insurance, Craig researched and discovered healing methods that brought him out of the depths of depression and opened up the life he had been waiting for. Craig and I talked about many topics that are sure to inspire in your resilience, tenacity, and determination for how you will find ways in your own life to naturally reverse depression. In this episode you will learn: definition of depression what it means to separate yourself from depression causes of depression the purpose of depression proof depression can be overcome natural and holistic ways to heal depression MEET MY GUEST: Craig Meriwether  has been described as a “wake-up” call, giving people the tools and information they need to energize and revitalize their lives, enabling them to end depression and create a life of happiness. Craig is the author of the best selling programs Mind Mastery Blueprint and Depression 180 about which Wendy Love creator and author of the award winning blog DepressionGateway.com says: “This is one of the best, most thorough books on depression I have read – and I have read most of them. It is the most thorough account of all of the strategies you could possibly employ to manage depression.” Craig is also a featured author in the New York Times bestselling book Pearls of Wisdom: 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live your Best Life Now! along with Jack Canfield, Marci Shimoff and Janet Attwood. He is also host of the popular blog talk radio show – The Mastermind Show interviewing experts in mind, body and spiritual transformation.

PTSD has always been associated with military trauma. The sacrifices that our military men and women make once leaving the military continues throughout their lives, especially for those who suffer from symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Only as recently as 1981 has PTSD been officially recognized as a mental illness, and since 9/11 has it become more widely acknowledged in the civilian population as well. PTSD Statistics show that up to 8% of the population is suffering from its crippling effects at any given time. Suffering from PTSD doesn’t mean you can’t live a brilliant, rewarding life and positively influence others who share the same illness. It just means you have to find creative options for how to reduce stress of PTSD symptoms and feel better so that you can live a life you enjoy. My guest on today’s show is a combat veteran who found himself physically and emotionally on the verge of breaking. Unlike so many battles before, this one was different. He was fighting the physical and emotional battles of PTSD without the assistance or direction that he so needed. Determined not to lose this war, Chris Crawford decided to change how he approached life as a whole; he found healing through natural means. Today, Chris shared the secrets and successes that anyone can realize if they commit themselves to changing direction. Next on the show I talked to combat veteran Scott Lee. Scott joined me to discuss how, even as he continues his journey to heal, he is actively helping other veterans find their joy and passion through the arts. As the Project Director of Veterans PTSD Project, he provides a means for the culimination of “Military Experience and the Arts” which encourages creative, cathartic expression by military veterans as well as peer-reviewed scholarship about veterans issues. About my guests: Chris Crawford is a 100% service connected disabled vet with PTSD, TBI and other issues including stomach and respiratory ailments. He is also herbalist. At his peak of 18 pills, a breathing machine, a rescue inhaler, and no help from the VA, Chris decided to take control of his own health and is now 100% medication free. He is a certified Reiki practitioner and is self-taught in acupressure and therapeutic massage to use on himself and others in place of invasive and harmful treatments. Chris has no products to sell but rather chooses to teach others the art of self-healing. Scott Lee is an Army veteran and blogger who writes about veteran’s issues at PTSD: A Soldier’s Perspective. Recently as a freelance writer he joined the staff of Heroes Fallen Studios, Inc. interviewing Korean War veterans for a graphic novel project commissioned by the Department of Defense.

There is nothing more encouraging as a trauma survivor than to meet people who have made the decision to take back what could have been a lost. They are the type of people that exude a certain strength, love, and kindness -- personality traits that inspire us to reach for those things ourselves. It can give us a sense of hope, and we may find ourselves saying “if he/she can do it, then so can I!”  If you look around many of these people exist; when they share their stories and missions we can learn so much! My guest on today’s show, Ruth Bachman, is exactly THAT kind of person. A nationally respected writer, author, educator, cancer advocate and inspirational speaker, Ruth contributes her time, her resources and her talents, bringing a timeless message to diverse audiences, about the one constant in life — change. An upcoming speaker at the National Women’s Surivors Convention, listen in as Ruth shares how she has triumphed over adversity and is using it to change the lives of countless survivors. In our conversation we covered: how to make the tough choices during and after trauma how trauma causes profound change how to empower yourself to make difficult choices how to define and access resilience 3 questions to ask yourself to begin moving through loss defining courage how to change your perspective Whew! We covered so many action-oriented ways to deal with trauma and move forward I can't list them all. Dive in and listen for yourself.... About my guest: Ruth Bachman - A Minnesota native, Ruth has served as a kindergarten teacher, children’s choir director, aerobics instructor, international travel guide and volunteer coordinator. Ruth has been speaking to the public for over 25 years which has included work with the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. However, it was her 2003 encounter with a life-changing cancer diagnosis that lead Ruth to her current role – that of an advocate for integrative care for cancer survivors and a role model for managing change whole-heartedly; with resilience, courage, and grace. Before 2003, Ruth was a left-handed woman, wife and mother, in apparent good health. She ate reasonably well, was physically active, had annual checkups, practiced yoga and meditation, attended church regularly, volunteered in the community and even read to 4 year olds weekly! It has been said that “expecting bad things not to happen to you just because you are good is like expecting the bull not to charge just because you are a vegetarian!” Ruth serves as Chair of the Community Advisory Board of the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, and conducts workshops on behalf of the Center for Spirituality & Healing, University of Minnesota. She is a spokesperson for the Rein in Sarcoma Red Flags of Sarcoma Campaign, a member of the Minnesota Cancer Alliance Steering Committee, a contributor to the MN Cancer Alliance Cancer Support Network, and a speaking ambassador for Community Health Charities Minnesota and the Angel Foundation. Ruth had the privilege of participating in the Above & Beyond Cancer pilgrimage to Nepal in 2012. Out of a deep sense of gratitude, Ruth donates all proceeds from GROWING THROUGH THE NARROW SPOTS to support cancer education, advocacy and research. For more information about Ruth and The Hourglass Fund Project, go to www.ruthbachman.com. For more information about GROWING THROUGH THE NARROW SPOTS and Ruth’s author appearance schedule, please contact Sheila Waldman at TRISTAN Publishing, 866-545-1383 or swaldman@tristanpublishing.com

It’s almost a given: At some point in our lives we’ll all find ourselves in a position where we simply just want to give up. The outcome of the challenge we are facing is unknown and, since we can’t control the future, why even try? Just because life doesn’t always deal us what we feel is the perfect hand, is that a genuine reason to disappoint the people we love and ourselves by just giving up? Absolutely not! On this episode, I interviewed Maryann Makekau, Founder of Hope Matters, and Rob Harris, Founder of Rob Cares, about why hope is so important in the mix of what it takes to change the direction of your life. Together we covered: what hope is why hope matters how to develop hope when you don't feel it how to hold onto hope when new experiences challenge it Listen in as the discussion addresses not only the benefits of hope and a positive approach to change but includes action-oriented details you can begin using today to strengthen your process.  MEET MY GUESTS: MARYANN MAKEKAU is an author, inspirational speaker, talk radio co-host, and spirited entrepreneur. She is also a veteran, spouse of a retired member, and mother of two grown military children. Maryann’s experience in the mental health field spans over 20 years, with the evaluation of learning, memory and executive brain function disorders, and research contributions in geriatric memory recognition and military training stress factors. Her ability to blend those experiences into compassionate writing and hands-on practical tools has appealed to mass audiences. Maryann founded Hope Matters on the desire to make a difference in hurting lives worldwide. That motivation began with her Little Pink Book series. From the first book to bless a friend in need, a channel of hope was born. She makes it her mission to inspire others with the infectious quality of hope by reaching “the child within.” Her nationwide book tours and speaking engagements offer interactive workshops, creative exhibitions, hope-filled speeches, radio and television interviews, and dedicated signings. National spotlights include TIME series, Huffington Post Live, Leeza’s Place, Coping with Cancer Magazine, and numerous others. In addition to advocacy and writing, she dedicates a portion of sales proceeds to The After Breast Cancer Program, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, The Children’s Treehouse Foundation, and The National Military Family Association. In 1990, Rob Harris, a career Human Resources professional and family man, had never encountered the word “caregiver.” He had no idea what the word represented. But then he and his wife learned she had cancer when she was just thirty-one years old, and everything changed. Harris was thrown into the role as caregiver in a matter of hours, and he had no idea what to do, where to seek help and guidance, or how to provide selfless support to his wife. Now, 22 years later, and after being a caregiver for a good part of those two decades, he wrote a poignant story of love, compassion and dedication, strategically interspersing each event with 70 vital caregiving tips (learning lessons) that educates all readers, including caregivers, patients, family members, friends and colleagues. We’re In This Together: A Caregiver’s Story has been a number #1 bestselling ebook on Amazon.com in the Physician & Patient Caregiving category. His second book, We’re In This Together: A Caregiver’s Guide is currently in production. Harris’ work extends well beyond his book. He is a speaker, radio show co-host (“Because Hope Matters Radio Hour”) and has pioneered a caregiver and patient support organization, RobCares LLC, of which he is the president. His mission is to communicate with caregivers worldwide through blogs, speaking engagements, coaching and advice so that the best caregiving services possible can be offered to their loved ones. Harris has received the endorsement of celebrities and medical authorities.

Unknowns may be the worst thing about any trauma. Not only did the trauma you experienced come from out of nowhere, but now you are thrown into what may have just become the fight of your life. Regardless of what you have survived or what you are fight...

Forgiveness is a tricky subject. Is it for you, or the person who betrayed you? Do you have to forgive to move forward? Is not forgiving holding you back? When it comes to forgiveness in healing you might be thinking, Do I really have to? What if I don't want to? Maybe I don't feel like it. Maybe, just maybe, I can be just as happy if I DON'T forgive someone as I would be if I did. Who among us hasn't felt like they simply do not want to forgive someone for the pain that they have caused us? I would venture to say that we've all felt that way regardless if we've had reason to or not. So, the question then becomes is it really necessary for us to forgive? On this episode, I interviewed Dr. Margaret Nagib, Clinical Psychologist at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. Dr. Nagib shared how unforgiveness can keep you entrenched in the past, unable to move forward while forgiveness can bring you freedom and a more fulfilled life, plus: What forgiveness is - and is not Where the power of forgiveness originates How forgiveness links to vulnerability The difference between owning your emotions and being ruled by them How forgiveness is for you - and only you A simple 4-step process to launch your forgiveness process MEET MY GUEST: Dr. Margaret Nagib is a clinical psychologist specializing in Christian counseling, inner healing and treating eating disorders, trauma,addiction, self-injury and mood disorders. For 15 years, she has provided individual, family and group therapy. Today, as a key faculty member of Timberline Knolls’ Clinical Development Institute, she travels throughout the country providing clinical training and presentations to professionals. Every year, the CDI team offers more than 50 presentations at national and regional meetings, and contributes to awareness and early intervention through media interviews and blog contributions. Additionally, Dr. Nagib provides individual, family, group and pastoral counseling. Her goal is to restore Timberline Knolls' residents to wholeness through a deeper relationship with God, helping each one to find her voice, purpose, and passion. She collaborates with the campus Chaplin, Todd Warren, to provide leadership and guidance to fulfill the goal of supporting each woman’s spirituality. Formerly, Dr. Nagib worked as a counselor with the Meier Clinics, the Northern Illinois University Counseling Center, the Glen Oaks Adolescent Therapeutic School and Oak Forest Psychological Services. As an expert in providing treatment from a Christian perspective, she has been featured in the Relevant magazine; the Wall Street Journal; Today’s Christian Womanmagazine; FOX News; “The Everlasting Love” - a Christian public affairs television program broadcast throughout Chicago, and “Doctor to Doctor” on Trinity Broadcasting Network. Dr. Nagib earned her undergraduate degree from Pace University in New York and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology fromWheaton College in Illinois, where she also served as an adjunct graduate psychology professor. She held a similar role at Simpson University in California. She also attended two years at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. Dr. Nagib is a member of the American Association of Professional Counselors, the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, the Association of Christian Therapists, and is a Regional Director for the International Bethel Sozo Organization.